HE ulletin TPublished by the QueenslandQBA Bridge Association B July-August 2010 Volume 36 No www.qldbridge.com Email: [email protected] 4

one-day teams events. This will be From the another success if you will support Barrier Reef President Bowen. I can’t complain, the bridge Congress players of Queensland have been outstanding in attending all the events in 2009 and 2010. However the life blood of our association is country clubs like Bowen and your attendance would be appreciated. Kim Keith By the time you read this our teams McDonald Ellaway will have returned from the 2010 ANC in Hobart. I have no doubt that anet Hansen did a wonderful job The Leyland Brothers had irrespective of their results they will as a playing Tournament Co-Or- Nothing on Us J have been good ambassadors for dinator for the Mackay Barrier Reef Queensland. Congratulations to all s usual Ray and I travelled to the Congress. The Mayor of Mackay, Mr four Queensland teams. Aannual Barrier Reef Congress. Col Meng, officially opened the event. This year it was to be held in Mackay The Directors Laurie Kelso, Geoff Al- I need to thank all the clubs that and as I hate plane travelling I came len, Peter Busch and Monica Darley contributed to the success of the up with this bright idea that we could were very professional. The caddies Prince of Wales Medical Foundation drive and visit all the clubs from were just great. I thank the sponsors “Bridge for Brains Challenge”. Gympie up to Mackay. We wrote to one and all, particularly the major Australian Bridge has now raised all the clubs involved and worked sponsors Infocus Money Management in excess of $180,000 and that is out our itinerary and on the Tuesday and the Healthpoint Chemist Group. an effort to be proud of in face of an prior to the Barrier Reef, we travelled Without the tireless work of the large economic downturn. to Gympie where a luncheon was number of club members and friends I want to commend to you a revolu- held. At Gympie I had the pleasure this congress would not have been the tionary new bridge tool for teachers to present Jeannette Roughley with success that it was. Well done Mackay - see www.the35steps.com, ■ her Gold Life Masterpoint Certificate Club. and to go along with this a gold cake The Manager of the QBA, Kim Ellaway QBA Mailing List was presented - we had this with and her husband drove to Mackay afternoon tea. If you wish to be put on the mailing to allow Kim to visit as many clubs list for news which is sent out about As soon as we finished this session as possible. The clubs were most once a month, please email the we drove to Hervey Bay for their 7.00 appreciative. Thank you Ray. manager. pm session - time was tight as we did Bowen Congress 6/7 November has [email protected] not arrive in Hervey Bay till 6.45 pm, been changed to a one-day pairs and chucked our case into the hotel room and drove around to the next street to play with the Hervey Bay members. Contents We had a wonderful supper and a From the President...... 1 great chat with all of them - I told Barrier Reef Congress by Kim Ellaway...... 1 them it was not necessary for the Richard Wallis...... 2 balloons only to be told they had been Nanette Loxton...... 4 for the previous session where they John Brockwell...... 5 farewelled a 90+ year-old member. Klinger’s Column by Ron Klinger...... 5 Cuppaidge’s Column by George Cuppaidge...... 6 The following morning we drove Director’s Corner by Sean Mullamphy...... 8 back to Maryborough to play in their Appeals 101 by Geoff Slack-Smith...... 8 afternoon session - here the members Lockyer ...... 9 out-did themselves with another Club News ...... 11 afternoon tea and we also played Tournament Committee News by Richard Wallis...... 12 36 boards plus a sit out. I also found a Big W with books cheaper than in

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 

Jeannette Roughley & Kim at Gympie Brisbane so purchased every new release that they had. After play in Maryborough, we drove to Gin Gin and were told to have dinner in the local pub - we had Kim and Ray and Cleveland Bay members, ‘The Magnolias’, Gladys Tulloch, chicken schnitzel and it was the Barbara Hospers, Pat Leighton & Gaylene Brown with Sue Lusk (2nd from right) nicest meal I had in a long time and it was all prepared on site but we After the event which I am sure is me the will to visit all bridge clubs declined the invitation to join the reported elsewhere we drove to as I believe the visits were warmly motel’s owner’s birthday party. On Rockhampton and played in the accepted and appreciated. the Thursday morning we had a long Tuesday session where a lunch had I could write about some memorable drive to Mackay. been put on for us. The members hands however I’m too busy cleaning certainly know how to cook up a lunch The congress began with a Walk-In the dirt off the car after travelling and we thank everyone who made us event on Friday afternoon which Ray behind a cattle truck and receiving feel so welcome. and I were not only fortunate to win a all the cattle remnants on my brown section but we won overall which gave After play we drove to Bundaberg car; or was it white. Thank you also to us some extra spending money. We to play in the Wednesday morning Mum of course who, as usual, looks had a wonderful time meeting up with session. It was vegetable day so we after my not so young children and old friends and we even managed to were able to purchase our vegetables my two dogs. ■ come 10th in the Swiss pairs losing to take back to Brisbane and it was only one match by more than 14-16 also fund-raising for cancer day. and that was against Marlene Nicol The providore and her troupe made and Janice Wright from Bowen who the most splendid morning tea and eventually came 8th overall and I eventually had to drag Ray out of certainly won’t let me forget that they there as he would have been happy won the first match. to stay and eat all the leftovers and Richard thank you to the member who gave us Wallis In the teams we always play with the mango melon - it was absolutely Bev Travers and have done since delicious. The Open Butler Pairs we have been attending. We were fortunate this year that she picked We left Bundaberg and returned hile the field was down on last to play with an old friend of hers home for the State of Origin. We Wyear, the quality was still high in and ours, Gerald Schaaf (Gerald is had travelled over 2300 kilometres, the Open Butler Pairs event held prior the Gold Coast Congress’s co- played in 6 bridge clubs, met some to the Barrier Reef Teams in Mackay, ordinator and I have worked with him wonderful people and listened to and John Brockwell and I struggled to for many a year) and what fantastic some wonderful stories about the make any headway, with no severe fun we had, eventually coming 11th history of the clubs visited. losses, but no major wins either. - 3 places above our seeding. We Thank you to everyone who made The event was played as a Swiss, lost only two of these matches which the trip memorable - I hope we were with 8 matches of 7 boards, which was against a Brisbane team and a of some use to you in answering any made for an exciting contest. The Mackay team and they both deserved of the questions put to us and now Butler format meant that tactics were their wins against us - thanks Gerald members can put a face to the phone similar to teams play, and a 1-round and Bev. call when they ring me. It has given delayed draw was employed for the

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010  first few rounds, before reverting to a sacrifices, but not enough, as the perform consistently enough to rack live draw for the final rounds. average was +500, so we up enough of the large wins that are Magnus Moren and Neville Francis gained 9 Imps, the only sizeable necessary to win such a contest, and went to the lead after the first match swing of the match. were out of the money. and were never headed thereafter. The entry was a little down this year, M 2 ♠ 8652 It looks as if Pairs prior to the Teams and even so the playing venue was Bd 13 ♥ 106 will become a regular event at all BRC a little crowded at times, but all of the Dlr N ♦ 10964 for future years, as while Townsville players coped very well. The Souths ♣ 753 had previously only run the Teams Vul Both Leagues Club was a great venue for ♠ AQJ4 ♠ K1093 event, they have put the Butler the players when not playing bridge, ♥ AQ752 N ♥ K98 Pairs event back on the Calendar W E as it was relatively close to suitable ♦ QJ5 ♦ AK for 2011. S accommodation. ♣ Q ♣ KJ92 While the venue was initially a little ♠ 7 ♠ 2 crowded, the only valid criticism that M 1 ♥ J43 ♥ Q864 I heard during the event was that Bd 7 ♦ 8732 A532 Butler scoring was similar to Teams, Dlr S ♦ ♣ A10864 9762 and therefore maybe this should be Vul Both ♣ Q74 J109865 a Match-pointed Pairs event. ♠ ♠ ♥ K N ♥ A95 On board 2 in the first match it was W N E S W E ♦ QJ10874 S ♦ 6 not clear whose hand it was, and the P 1S P ♣ K53 ♣ J104 bidding did not stop until the 6-level. 2H P 4H P 4NT P 5H P ♠ AK3 ♥ J10732 M 1 ♠ K853 6H! all pass ♦ K9 Bd 2 ♥ 1084 On board 13 in the second match I ♣ AQ8 Dlr E ♦ 932 made a bad choice of slam, but luckily Vul NS ♣ AJ2 ♠ A106 ♠ 94 got away with it when the hearts W N E S ♥ 7 N ♥ 3 broke 3-2. W E 1H ♦ AKJ10 S ♦ Q8754 We were playing 4-card , so a 3H P 2S! P 4H ♣ Q9754 ♣ K10863 rebid by John would not have been all pass ♠ QJ72 forcing, hence the jump to game. ♥ AKQJ9652 I had intended to convert to spades Board 7 in the first match brought up ♦ 6 after I found out about the key cards a bit of system that I had looked at on ♣ — in hearts, but changed my mind and the card but not discussed. I saw mini- bid the slam in hearts. splinters on the card, and thought that North led the ♣7, and when dummy 2S was the best way to describe my W N E S went down, I breathed a sigh of relief hand, which was not quite a limit bid, 2NT! 4H but stronger than a 2H response. 5C P P 5H when trumps broke 3-2 and quickly P P 6C all pass claimed the 12 tricks and a modest 2 However, after John alerted the 2S Imps gain against the average. he explained that it showed a strong John’s 2NT opening was for the In fact with the ♣J in dummy 6NT hand and a self-supporting suit. Since minors, and I could easily envisage is a much better chance than 6H, he could be certain that I did not have 5 of either minor as being cold, and having 12 tricks on top without any that, he jumped to game in hearts to slam could make with a little luck. On breaks required, but I did not have to relieve any pressure, and he informed the other hand, we might only take consider a No- contract with my the opponents of his belief before the my ♠A in a 6H contract, although it club holding. was made. was likely that the ♦A would cash as 6S has extra tricks available by ruffing well, so I did not push my luck over The opening lead was the ♦J, and clubs, and can survive a 4-1 break the 5H rebid. 4H has no chance as East was thus in trumps, so should have been the given a diamond . In an attempt John had no tricks, so went one contract. ■ to make 10 tricks John lost an extra more over 5H, and North must have trick for –200. been sorely to tempted to bid slam in hearts, but sanity prevailed and The Teams At the other table the result of 4H was due to the uncertainty, there was no fter missing out last year, I was uncertain, and Neville and Magnus double, maybe to avoid giving away Alooking forward to contesting the took the save in 4S, losing 5 tricks for the club position. Barrier Reef Open Teams again, –500, and that was 12 Imps away. North led the ♥8, and it seemed this year with John Brockwell as On the next board I could only obvious to play South for the possibly my partner, especially as our team- conclude that after the Pairs John club , so I only lost 3 tricks for mates were Magnus Moren and had become wary of my opening 2 off and –100. There were some Neville Francis. Alas we did not game bids.

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 

M 1 ♠ AK98754 Bd 8 ♥ Q94 Dlr W ♦ 6 Vul None ♣ 63 ♠ 102 ♠ J6 ♥ J652 N ♥ AK1087 W E ♦ 8532 S ♦ AQJ74 ♣ 972 ♣ 5 ♠ Q3 ♥ 3 ♦ K109 ♣ AKQJ104

W N E S P 4S X P 5H All pass

I thought that I had a reasonable 4S opening bid; too good for 3S as I would do that with KQJxxxx. Apparently East did not have any established system to deal with this Evelyne Mander, Bev Jenner, Flo Hall & Nanette Loxton of the BBC high level opening, so they doubled. I think most people would have acted, Trust in Allah, but Muhammed Hafiz, again from “ Three but 4NT to show 2 suits to play would Tie up your Camel! Cups of Tea.” have been a more popular choice. have just returned from playing in Last weekend, my team-mates and I Over the double, West chose to bid, Ithe Mackay Barrier Reef Congress enjoyed meeting many bridge players and landed on her feet with 5H. When which has restored my faith in believing from all over Australia, (more people this came around to John, he passed you can play a high standard of bridge than a day in the life of a bridge toll it out. and still have a lot of laughs. collector), and we had many laughs. I am sure that John would have I was reading the very inspiring book, My team of players, all of us relatively doubled 5D, but I do not know why he “Three Cups of Tea” in between very new to serious bridge competitions, did not at least bid 5S over 5H if he serious bridge texts, when I came approached the congress with a was not going to double, and I never upon the above quote. The book is competitive but light-hearted attitude. got around to asking him. about “One man’s mission to promote We nicknamed ourselves the “If you peace…”, a very serious quest but go…”(2Ds etc.) team - our most 5H went 3 light for +150, but with NS “life” has a habit of reducing everything common phrase. Our glass was playing in 4S at the other table for 12 down into very simple often humorous always half full. When we were tricks and –480, we lost 8 Imps. ■ terms. I couldn’t help but think the same doing badly in the teams, my partner The full articles on the Pairs and the analogy applied to the (in comparison) reported back after viewing the Teams are available on the website. frivolous game of bridge. I will leave score board that we were “just under this up to individual interpretations, but first” which technically we were, our that old bridge adage rings in your ears, names/hence results were printed just “trust your partner, but…” below the winning team. The famous bridge player, Zia I would like to thank the Mackay Mahmood, says, “Top bridge players Bridge Club for organising a great have greatly varied personalities and weekend. And I say to all those characteristics but the most important bridge players out there, never give talents are a logical and clear thinking up, never lose hope and remember mind, card-sense and a positive laughter is the best medicine. 2011 Gold Coast mental attitude.” He also goes onto  Nanette Loxton Congress say that he has found that “most top players have enormous egos, he QBA Open Pairs 50th Anniversary being no exception.” I would like to challenge all the top & Novice Pairs February 26 - players out there to remember, “Greatness is always built on the October 16/17 March 5 ability to appear, speak and act, as Venue QCBC the common man.” - Shams-ud-din

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010  Klinger’s New Player Problems South is the dealer at nil vul and opens Column 1NT. What would West do with ♠ 65 John Brockwell ♥ AKQJ92 ♦ 876 ♣ J3 his extraordinary hand was Tplayed by Bruce Bowden of When you have a solid suit and little Townsville at the recent Barrier Reef Ron Klinger else against a 1NT opener, do not bid Congress in Mackay. your suit. Prefer to pass and hope they Dlr S ♠ A73 Head ‘Em Off At The Pass stay in no-trumps. Then you can start Vul None ♥ A ith North the dealer and EW by cashing your winners. If you are ♦ AKJ6 vul, you are South holding good at mental telepathy, you could W try to will them on. ‘Please bid 3NT, ♣ Q6542 ♠ — ♥ 1073 ♦ J10985432 ♣ 73 ♠ K1086542 ♠ QJ please bid 3NT.’ Pass and be grateful Your partner opens 1S, East passes ♥ J108 N ♥ 97642 you have ready-made defence. W E and it’s your bid? ♦ 10 S ♦ 854 ♣ 93 ♣ AJ8 With a long suit, it can pay to respond South is the dealer with EW vul. South ♠ 9 with a very poor hand even when that opens 1H and North responds 1S. ♥ KQ53 suit is not a major. This deal arose in What should South re-bid holding a Butler Trials: ♦ Q9752 ♠ Q106 ♣ K107 Dlr N ♠ KJ9874 ♥ AK9742 Vul EW ♥ — ♦ A76 ♦ KQ6 ♣ 8 W N E S AJ109 P ♣ You have six hearts, but the hand is not 3S X P 4H ♠ 102 ♠ AQ653 strong enough for a jump to 3H. Add ♥ AQJ642 N ♥ K985 all pass W E the ♦K, the ♠K or the ♥Q and you have ♦ A7 S ♦ — a 3H rebid. With a minimum, bid 2H. Kathy Boardman (West) led her ♣ KQ6 ♣ 8542 singleton diamond. Bruce won in ♠ — dummy with the ace, and cashed ♥ 1073 As West, playing the ♥A and the ♠A. He then ruffed ♦ J10985432 with a strong 1NT opening, you open a spade to hand and played the ♥K ♣ 73 1D and your partner responds 1S. and the ♥Q. What should West re-bid holding Thereafter, East could only score the 1. ♠ KQ2 two outstanding trumps and his ♣A. It W N E S ♥ AJ is must be extremely rare to make a 1S P 1NT ♦ AQ964 game when the defenders 2H P 4H 5D ♣ K97 X All pass have an 8-card trump fit. ■ 2. ♠ A7 At the vulnerability South chose to ♥ K863 Sunshine Coast respond rather than let the opponents ♦ J9764 Contract Bridge have an easy run. North was not ♣ AQ prepared to double 2H for takeout for Solution: Club fear that South might leave the double in for penalties. When East jumped to 1. Bid 2NT. This shows a balanced August Teams 4H, South deduced that East-West hand, too strong to open 1NT. It is August 8 were likely to have nine or ten hearts played as forcing to game as long as and so North would have one or none. responder has the 6+ points promised Sept. Graded Pairs In that case it was likely that North by the response. September 26 would have 2+ diamonds. With eleven 2. Bid 1NT. This is preferable to 2D Entries to: cards in the black suits North would with such a lousy suit and you are PO Box 5152 Maroochydore, 4558 hardly have passed 2H. not strong enough to rebid 2H (a www.suncoastbridge.com.au The ♣K was led and declarer had no ‘’). In an uncontested auction if trouble taking eleven tricks for +550. you bid a new suit beyond two of your A bridge expert is one who has A similar situation might have arisen original suit, when a cheaper bid was already made all the important if the bidding had started 1S : Pass : available, you are showing a strong mistakes. Pass, but South suffered no ill effects hand, at least 16 points. from the 1NT response. Courtesy of ronklingerbridge.com

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 

are held he has an obligation to ask then Blackwoods at his next turn. Cuppaidge’s for kings, not just for his own benefit Note how useful it is that two-over but to confirm this often vital fact with one-creates an absolute game Column partner who will now know that a force. As well he can bid fourth side suit of KQJxx or similar is now a suit forcing and follow up with source of running tricks and will often Blackwood setting his first bid suit. be able to take over and bid the grand It is inconceivable that he would slam himself. Asker cannot do this want to set the fourth suit. 1C-1D: when there is doubt as to how many 1H-1S; 2C-4NT sets diamonds. If George aces responder actually holds, so, he responder likes, instead, clubs he Cuppaidge must assume that responder holds bids 3C now forcing after his bid of the minimum number. An opportunity the fourth suit. Blackwood is wasted. • a player who twice bids a suit then his convention can be helpful, In none of the versions that I know is Blackwoods, is setting that suit. For Tthere is no doubt about that, but there even a means of answering the example when a 2C opener bids for many reasons, more disasters most important question of all, “How and rebids a suit, AQJ10854, 6, seem to follow from its use than from many do you actually have?” AK, AKQ. any other convention. I have tried to A serious problem is the failure of • Without prior agreement, a suit work out why, coming up with these many to comprehend that to invoke bid and raised is the agreed suit, conclusions. Blackwood requires an agreed suit, but the partnership might agree Roman Key Card Blackwood, where or a self-supporting suit of one’s that the second suit becomes the king of the agreed suit is treated own. Without one, there is nowhere the subject of the Blackwood as an ace, is the version all but to stop. enquiry in an auction which begins, universally played today and to a The use of 4NT “quantitative” is such for example, 1S-2S; 3D holding large extent that is the source of the an archaic and unsophisticated tool AKQ43, 6, QJ654, AK problem. The concept that partner that serious players should not use it. • to transfer to a suit and then will “always know” whether you hold It is totally useless when one player Blackwood sets the suit which “0 or 3” or “1 or 4” aces is flawed to has a long suit. 4NT is Blackwood! responder has shown. put it mildly. Even in the good old It can be seen that the situations set • to Blackwood after a Stayman days of simple Blackwood, when 5C out below have a far greater degree response sets opener’s bid showed 0 or 4 aces, and there were of certainty attached to them if the suit, even if the reply was in only to show, people still possibility of “quantitative” does not diamonds. got it wrong from time to time. It is exist. If you must, reserve it for direct • Similarly 2C-2D; 4NT sets possible to hold 24 points without an raises of no-trump opening bids, at diamonds. ace. The uncertainty today is much least here there cannot possibly be bigger and leads to some other an agreed suit. No agreed suit, no By setting a particular suit, the serious consequences as well. When Blackwood. Blackwood bidder can get information the responder to RKCB holds the about the king and queen of that suit, What is the agreed suit? These and importantly, it elevates the king of higher number, he will normally go simple, logical, rules decide for you. on to slam in the agreed suit when that suit to ace status. • The over-arching principle is that the asker signs off. From time to time, A Better Way a bid of 4NT agrees the last bid however, even the higher number Is there a solution to the 0 or 3, 1 or 4 suit. will not be sufficient. This problem problem? Yes, abandon the standard might be solved by decreeing that the • So a leap to 4NT over an opening RKCB replies! Use instead the Jorj Blackwood bidder must hold a certain bid in a suit agrees that suit. replies. number of aces. That of course adds • If responder bids a new suit and • 5C 0 or 4 key cards yet another degree of complexity to opener rebids in no trump, 4NT • 5D 1 key card an already complex convention and sets responder’s suit, not opener’s • 5H 2 key cards without the key to be useful this minimum number suit. queen would have to change according to • If opener rebids in a new suit • 5S 3 key cards the context. Old timers will remember after a change of suit response, • 5NT 2 key cards with the key the Culbertson four-five convention, it is opener’s second suit which is queen where the 4NT bidder was himself set. Yes, there are hands where There really is no need for a 5 key card required to hold two aces and a king responder would like his own suit reply, no one will ever enquire holding of a bid suit. As restrictive as this may to be the agreed one but you can’t none. As always, asker’s minimum have been, it did make the prospective have it both ways. Responder key card holding must depend on the user think before leaping and often must find a way to set his suit. ranking of the agreed suit. Blackwood hopeless slams were avoided. If, for example, the suit was bid is rarely particularly useful for minor Another problem is this, when the at the two-level, creating a game suit slams. These replies maximise asker knows that all the key cards force, responder simply repeats it the chance of playing in six missing a

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010  key card but holding the trump queen. Here is a simple hand, it demonstrates 2) Blackwood, definitely not At very small risk indeed it is assumed the virtues of a having a clear quantitative. that asker will always know whether understanding of the convention 3) One key card. 0 or 4 and the bidding proceeds on that which you purport to play. 4) Confirms all key cards and the key assumption. As long as asker holds AKQ76 8 queen are held and asks for kings. two or more there will be no doubt. K32 aJ 5H asks for the diamond queen. These replies have a comfortable 52 AKQJ763 5) The HK is working and that spade similarity to original Blackwood. Q76 A54 suit is a source of tricks. The bidding shows a solid diamond Five of the agreed suit is sign-off. If the First using RKCB as it is commonly suit. asker follows up with the cheapest, played non-signoff bid, he is asking for the As this hand demonstrates, bidding 1S 4NT(1) key queen, if it has not been shown, slams can be an exact science, 5S(2) 5NT(3) otherwise it asks for kings. The next especially if initial investigations can 6D(4) 7NT cheapest asks for kings. A king ask begin below game, forcing. Here 3D confirms the possession of all five key 1) Agreeing spades. Responder is played as forcing is the foundation cards and the key queen. looking for the grand slam. He will for a comprehensive Blackwood sign off in 6D even over 5C, surely If the queen ask is below the level enquiry. Bidding games is not an opener will have sufficient kings! It of five of the agreed suit, it does not exact science, save your science for is absolutely vital that the asker is confirm possession of all key cards. where it matters, slam investigations. prepared for any response. Since A small slam missing one key card Do not waste below game bids, so the cheapest bid in a new suit will and the trump queen is likely to be valuable for slam investigation, as be a queen ask, the asker must a poor proposition, the trump queen game invitations. It is actually quite appreciate that he will not be able may make it a good one. It follows difficult, using everyday methods, to to sign off at the five-level in any that a queen ask above the level of set diamonds, and often other suits but the agreed suit. five of the agreed suit confirms the as well, as trump, below game and possession of all the key cards and 2) Two key cards and the trump forcing. is a grand slam probe. queen, so here SAKQ. The opening bid of 4NT In response to a queen ask, responder 3) Responder can “see” twelve tricks, The use of 4NT as an opening bid has can show it with sufficient extra length any king will be the thirteenth. stood the test of time, it asks partner to be confident it will drop. 4) One king, not already shown. This to show specific aces. It is surprising, If ever there is an area where a is not a hand where West should in a bridge lifetime, just how often the simple scheme must be adopted, bid the grand slam himself, the need for this bid occurs. These are it is after intervention. Pass, surely, ♥K is the only value which he has the recommended, slightly modified, should show no key cards, double not shown which is known to be replies. The last two responses have or redouble one, and the cheapest working. been interchanged from the original. bid two without, if you are using this Now using Blackwood with Jorj • 5C No ace scheme. Only with certain knowledge replies. • 5D Diamond ace only of the number of key cards held can 1S 4NT(1) • 5H Heart ace only asker confidently decide to defend. 5NT(2) 6C(3) • 5S Spade ace only The cheapest bid is, self-evidently 6H(4) 7NT • 5NT Club ace only according to the context, sign-off, • 6C two aces. 1) Agreeing spades. key queen ask or king ask with the 2) Two key cards, and the key You may have to wait longer than one normal inferences attached. Forget queen lifetime for KQ, KQJ10, AKQJ1076,--, DOPI which for reasons unknown 3) Confirming all the key cards are but if 5NT makes, after 4NT-5NT, it will has it back to front and RKCBDOPI held and asking for kings. have been worth the wait. is nightmare material. 4) One king. PS. I had the privilege of meeting Perceptive readers will note that and playing both with and against responder could follow a different Easley Blackwood when he came route, again using Jorj replies, and to Brisbane in the seventies. He this is it. On many hands it will be lived from 1903 to 1992. This man was a bridge player of real class. It of critical importance which suit you is strange that his only real epithet decide to set as the agreed suit, and is the Blackwood convention, by his it is nice to have a choice. Thanks to the Wide Bay standards a rather clumsy tool. He Australia bank 1S 2D was the sort of player who would not This company sponsors all the 2NT 3D(1) need it. He has written many books bidding pads in the Wide Bay 3NT 4NT(2) on bridge. I have read some and Region and saves each club a 5D(3) 5S(4) everything he said was worth reading. lot of money. 7NT(5) Pass No doubt Paul Lavings can get them 1) Setting diamonds for you if you are interested. ■

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010  Director’s • Declarer can make no lead partner’s penalty cards restrictions of the offenders • Declarer may prohibit the lead of Corner partner the suit or suits of partner’s penalty So for example if I am defending and I cards have the ♣2 as a MINOR penalty card In both cases all cards in the suit/suits and declarer leads a suit which I can specified are picked up and there is win by trumping, I am not required to no restriction on their play play the MINOR penalty card. I can Or trump and leave the ♣2 on the table Sean as a MINOR penalty card. When I win • Declarer could say ‘lead anything’ Mullamphy this trick I am not required to lead the in which case the penalty cards ♣2 either. remain on the table and declarer The Penalty Card chooses which legal penalty card What are the Penalties associated the defender plays to a trick. his month I would like to look at with a MAJOR Penalty Card? Tthe Penalty Card. I hope this has given you a better A MAJOR penalty card is quite understanding of a Penalty Card Are all Penalty Cards the same? different. And my most important message: Well, no they are not. There are two A MAJOR penalty card types of Penalty Card - the MINOR If something happens at the table, • Must be led if the offender is Penalty Card and the MAJOR Penalty don’t try and fix it yourself - always on lead (declarer has no other Card. call the director. option) Minor Penalty Card Chief Tournament Director, ABF • Must be played when the suit of the Minor penalty cards are relatively rare. penalty card is played They occur only when a single card is • Must be played if the offender has Appeals 101 accidentally dropped or is accidentally no card in the suit played exposed when a defender plays two What is an Appeal? cards to a trick. If the second card What if the offender’s partner has the s your club ready for an appeal? could not be identified it is not a lead and there is a MAJOR penalty Clubs needs better insurance than penalty card and is returned to hand. card on the table? I a policy founded on the faith, “Our In addition only a card below the rank • Declarer may prohibit the lead of members are soft and gentle, we of ten can be a MINOR penalty card. the suit of the penalty card never have appeals.” If the card dropped or accidentally • Declarer may require the lead of For years the QBA Appeal Committee exposed is a ten or higher honour, the suit of the penalty card then it too will be a MAJOR Penalty has seen several requests to review In either of these situations the Card. an appeal in a club. Often procedures penalty card is returned to hand used had some irregularities and the Major Penalty Card and now there is no restriction on appeal had not run smoothly. All other cards illegally exposed are its play. What is important to conduct a valid MAJOR Penalty Cards. Or appeal? What if more than one card is • Declarer could simply say ‘lead • Find a space to hold the hearing. exposed? anything’ and the card would • select a committee, 3 is a good If more than one card is illegally remain a penalty card number for a club event. exposed than all cards exposed are What if there is more than one penalty • Director should document the MAJOR Penalty cards – irrespective card? of the rank of each card. This most hand involved, the bidding, all Not good if you are a defender! commonly happens when a player irregularities he identified and believes he or she is dummy and When a defender has more than one include the ruling given to the table begins to lay down their hand. All penalty card All of these cards are and the relevant laws. cards in this situation are MAJOR MAJOR penalty cards irrespective of • the appellants, the respondents Penalty cards. their rank. and the director should be informed of the appeal and be invited to be What are the Penalties associated If the offender is to play present. with a MINOR Penalty Card? • Declarer chooses which penalty • the committee needs to select There are very few requirements on a card will be lead one member to act as Chairman, player with a MINOR penalty card. • When playing to a trick declarer and another to act as scribe if chooses which legal penalty card • It is only required to be played if no dedicated scribe present to the offender will play that defender wishes to play a card record the proceedings, such below the rank of TEN in the suit of What if the offender’s partner has as the committee members, the the MINOR penalty card the lead? parties present and the main points • It is not required to be led if that • Declarer may require that the presented to the hearing and the defender has the lead defender lead the suit of one of decision of the committee.

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 

• a written report should be kept on • Reasonable open minded and file. independent people Lockyer The appeal committee function is • not partners or team members of not to interpret the laws of bridge appellants or respondents n interesting, informative and but to confirm that relevant facts of • Reasonably strong players with Adisastrous situation arose for NS the matter have been revealed and wide experience of bidding and at the Lockyer Bridge Congress held considered and to review judgement play at Laidley on June 27. issues involved in the decision. If the • Those not having prior knowledge Twenty-three tables participated committee believes the director has of the case through consulting under the directorship of Alan Gibson. not used relevant parts of the laws with the director, appellants or the The event was won by Nathan Van it cannot reverse the decision but respondents Jole and Pranjal Chakradeo with local should inform the director of their pair, Richard Drouin and Rosemary concerns. QBA Tournament Regulations, Section McCormack winning the Plate. I and www.qldbridge.com/directors Judgement is required for In the morning session, Board 20 was have more detailed information. situations such as those involving the one in question. EW were playing Also available on the web page is unauthorized information(UI) or RKCB. Whether the bidding was WBF Code of Practice for Appeals misinformation(MI) causing damage correct is immaterial to the lesson to with useful examples of judgement to a non offending party. Issues be learnt for not calling the director. cases. such as the significance of MI and/or UI, how the auction or play could Further articles will examine details Dlr W ♠ Q109864 develop in the absence of MI and/or of appeal committee decision Vul Both ♥ 74 UI must be considered before any processes. ♦ 76 decision about score adjustment  Geoff Slack-Smith ♣ 1054 can be made. ♠ J2 ♠ — ♥ AKQJ1095 N ♥ 2 Appeal committee membership is The average defender operates W E ♦ AK3 ♦ QJ982 not related to knowledge of the laws in a fog of uncertainty. S ♣ A ♣ KQJ7632 or experience as a director. It is ♠ AK753 important to include: ♥ 863 ♦ 1054 ♣ 98 Brisbane Bridge Centre 104 Frederick St, Annerley. Ph: 3392 7933 W N E S 2C P 2D P Play Sessions tuesday 9.30 am Duplicate 2H P 3C P 7.30 pm Duplicate 4NT P 5S P 7NT P P X Wednesday 10.00 am Duplicate all pass Saturday 1.00 pm Duplicate Coaching Sessions & Monday 10.00 am North was on lead and, attempting Beginners’ Classes Tuesday 7.30 pm to pluck the ♠4 out of his hand, Friday 10.00 am accidentally dropped the ♦6. Enquiries for coaching & beginners’ classes: 3392 7933 Notwithstanding North’s expletive comment which followed and all players realising it was a mistake, the lead stood as North thought it was a penalty card and could not be ORDER NOW!! picked up. “Common Bidding Mistakes to Avoid - Guidelines for Declarer made 7NTX (scoring Improving Players” by Ross Dick 2490). If North (who shall remain nameless) had called the director Publisher: Queensland Bridge Association Inc he would have been informed it For all intermediate-level players who are keen to improve their game was a minor penalty card and in the quickly by cutting down on bidding mistakes. Attention is drawn to many circumstances the lead could have simple and quite common bidding errors and how to avoid them. been retracted. He could have led Price: A$24.95 (Free postage and handling within Australia) the card he intended and NS would Orders with payment to: Queensland Bridge Association have scored 1700. It was a rather 22 Mareeba Court, Arana Hills 4054 expensive turnaround of 4190 points Phone: 07 3351 8602 Mobile: 0412 064 903 and a salutary lesson for not calling Email: [email protected] the director. After all, that is what he’s there for. ■

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 10 QCBC Enquiries: Toni at QCBC - 3391 3241 [email protected] www.qcbc.org.au QUEENSLAND BUTLER PAIRS Incorporating QBA Open Butler Pairs QBA Women’s Pairs QBA Men’s Pairs Saturday & Sunday August 14-15 The highest finishing pair with each player below 200 MPs shall also be presented with a QBA gift. There is no state title for this pair Richard Wallis with the winners of the QBA Mixed Pairs, Entry fee: $100 per pair Meta Goodman and Tony Jackman 2010 QUEENSLAND GRADED TEAMS Sunday October 10 1) Open 2) Under Life 3) Fewer than 100 MPs Entry fee: $100 per team 2010 QUEENSLAND MIXED TEAMS Friday Sept 17, Oct 22, Nov 19 & Dec 10 $200 per team FESTIVAL SWISS PAIRS Sunday Sept 5 $25 per player QBA Graded Pairs winners, Agnes and Barry Kempthorne Introducing a Major QBA Senior Pairs New Sponsor November 13/14 Stores at Browns Plains, Bundaberg, Cairns QBA Individual Central, Caloundra, Capalaba, Carindale, Chermside, Clifford Gardens, Earlville, December 19 Garden City, Gladstone, Grand Central, Ipswich, Logan Hyperdome, Mackay, Venue QCBC Morayfield, North Lakes, Rockhampton, Springfield, Sunshine Plaza, Townsville, Tweed City & Willows. A contract is neither good nor Head office:41 Bulcock St, Caloundra 4551 bad, but playing makes it so Ph: 07 5437 0666 Fax: 07 5437 0966 Email: [email protected] Victor Mollo

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 11

Hervey Bay Club News The May congress was at capacity and filled within 3 weeks of entry form If you want items about your club in this being published. October entries are section, please send your newsletter or being received. items to Kim Ellaway. The QBA has received from the Rockhampton Sunnybank ABF the 2010 Promotional Grant The club has excellent beginners for Queensland of $9,200. Yellow balloons, ribbons & cake were numbers in Yepoon. Whilst visiting Kim These funds are for marketing and the order of the day at Sunnybank found out that once the Yepoon session teaching and the general promotion Bridge Club’s Cancer Council Charity has been scored, results get sent to all of bridge. Pre-application must be Day on Friday 21st May. The event who played in that session. was well supported by club members made for any funding. BBC with 19 tables in play. Thank you ABF The Brisbane City Council 2009-2010 Community Grants program has given a grant of $40,293 for a lift to our upper level for mobility impaired persons. We received a Qld Govt Gambling Community Fund Grant of $13,073 to replace the air-conditioners and a commercial dishwasher. Senior ANC Team Gympie Paul Collins / Ian Afflick Merv Weller turned 90. Australia’s Helen Milward / Robert Milward Biggest Morning Tea at the club Richard Touton / Larry Moses raised over $900.00 Junior ANC Team Joan Butts gave two workshops on Saturday 10 July, and those members Ryan Touton, Nathan Van Jole, attending are keen to add to their Geoff Martin & Nik Moore repertoires. Everyone wants to start playing two-over-one straight away. Marketing and Teaching Gold Coast subsidies are available for all The office has been re-carpeted and clubs - contact Kim Ellaway for at the end of June we switched to more information Margaret Oakhill organised the Bridgemates. event with the help of her daughter Marie Louise and a number of club Coming Events members. Aug 7-8 Surfers Paradise Butler Pairs & Swiss Teams A buffet lunch of delicious food was Aug 8 Sunshine Coast Swiss Teams enjoyed by those present, raffles Aug 14-15 Rockhampton Butler Pairs and Swiss Teams being drawn at this time. First prize Aug 14-15 QBA Butler Pairs - QCBC was a beautiful hand-made quilt Aug 14 Townsville Novice Pairs donated by Pam Wood. Aug 20-22 Tully Pairs Table money for the day, donations by Aug 22 Redcliffe Swiss Pairs Aug 28-29 QBA Open Teams - Toowong the club, as well as money raised by Aug 29 Noosa Novice Pairs the raffle amounted to $1300 which will Sep 5 QCBC Festival Pairs be forwarded to the charity. Judging Sep 11-12 Cleveland Bay Graded Pairs by the laughter and good fellowship Sep 11-12 Surfers Paradise Butler Pairs and Swiss Teams displayed all day, fundraising can lead Sep 12 Caloundra Butler Pairs to a good time as well as helping the Sep 17 QBA Mixed Teams - QCBC - Round 1 charity involved. Sep 18-19 Mackay Barometer Pairs Sep 19 Tamborine Swiss Teams Darling Downs Sep 19 Noosa Swiss Teams $30,000 was received from the Sep 26 Sunshine Coast Graded Matchpoint Pairs Sep 26 Redlands Graded Pairs Gambling Fund for air-conditioning Sep 26 Darling Downs Swiss Pairs and purchase of a water tank. Oct 2-3 Cleveland Bay Teams $25,000 was received last year for Oct 2 Caloundra Novice Pairs Bridgemates, a dealing machine and Oct 2-3 Gold Coast Butler Pairs and Teams renovations of the office.

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010 12

be granted automatic entry into the as good as the input data. All players Tournament Queensland ANC team, and pairs must get into the habit of checking the finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th will results for the round before moving Committee News proceed to Stage 3; for the next round, and in addition, 3. stage 3 will be a 60-board match check the printouts at the end of a over 1 day, and the pair finishing in session to ensure that the results 2nd position in Stage 2 will be able interpreted by the software, match to choose their team mates from the the results at the table. To this end, pairs finishing 2nd to 5th, and the where a congress extends over more Richard winning team will combine with the than one session, players will have up Wallis winners of Stage 2 to become the to 30 minutes before the start of the Queensland team for the ANC. next session to advise the Director eports from the Tournament of any scoring changes that have In addition, as a recent survey Committee will regularly appear been agreed with their opponents. R indicated that more pairs in this year’s in this newsletter to keep players up Obviously this cannot extend over to Women’s Trials would potentially want to date with what has happened and the day after the event, thus the time to play in the Open Trials rather than what is planned for the future. limit for score changes will be up to the Senior Trials, the Open Trials will 30 minutes after posting of the scores As mentioned in the previous newsletter be held first, and the Women’s and for the final session. ■ there have been continuing complaints Senior Trials will be held concurrently. about the format for the ANC teams Since Stage 3 of the Open will be trials generally conducted in March held on the first day of Stage 1 of the Expressions of Interest and April each year, and the committee Women’s and Senior Trials, if any for youth mentors. These mentors is looking at a change for 2011. We of the 8 players involved in Stage would be expected to take a do not expect the complaints to stop, 3 of the Open indicate at the end of youth under their wing for a year as the proposed change is bound to Stage 2 a desire to compete in either and assist with teaching etc with displease some of the players, but for the Women’s or the Senior Trials if that youth. A Blue card may be 2011 we are going to adopt the format unsuccessful in Stage 3, they will be required. currently used by the ABF to select the given direct passage to Stage 2 with Any one interested can contact Australian team. their selected partner. Richard Touton or Kim Ellaway The basic format is as follows: Other news from the Committee is the 1. stage 1 will be a Mitchell, using intention of the State Directors to look the Wallace method with cross- at backing up their results at regular Editing of Material imp scoring, and will be open to all intervals during a tournament to allow Contributors should note that the comers, as long as they satisfy the for a quick recovery in the case of a right to modify submitted material is residential qualifications, and they power failure or computer breakdown. retained by the QBA. give an assurance that they will Hopefully this will minimize unfortunate compete in the ANC if successful in disruptions that have recently occurred the Trials, and will be used primarily in congresses. to reduce the total field down to 10 With the advent of Bridgemates and pairs; QBA the growing acceptance of their use Email: manager@ 2. Stage 2 will be a 5-table Howell, for all major congresses, must come qldbridge.com using the Wallace method, with cross- an increased acknowledgement by imp scoring, and the winning pair will the players that the results are only Phone: 07 3351 8602 Mobile: 0412 064 903 Fax: 07 3103 4799 Web site: www.qldbridge. QCBC com 67 Ipswich Rd Woolloongabba Ph: 3391 3241 Email: [email protected] DEAD www.qcbc.org.au Sessions: Mon 10.30 am 7.30 pm Sept 6 (noon) Tue 10.00 am 7.30 pm Contributions to: Wed 10.30 am 7.30 pm 33 Royal Pde Thur 10.30 am Ashgrove 4060 Ph: 07 3366 1292 Fri 10.00 am 7.30 pm Sat 1.00 pm Email: Supervised: Mon 7.30 pm [email protected] Fri 9.30 am

The QBA Bulletin July - August 2010